If you ain’t Zynnin’, you ain’t winnin’.
I’m sure you’re familiar with Zyn by now, but the nicotine pouches have become a popular tobacco-free alternative to smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco. They’re by far the largest nicotine pouch on the market right now, and have become a pop culture phenomenon thanks in part to high-profile endorsements from people like Tucker Carlson.
Of course the government likes to ruin everything good in our lives, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling for the government to crack down on Zyn.
“A pouch packed with problems. High levels of nicotine. So today I’m delivering a warning to parents, because these nicotine pouches seem to lock their sights on young kids, teenagers and even lower, and then use the social media to hook ’em.”
But it turns out the nicotine pouches have also turned out to be popular not just among young kids and teenagers, but also among NASCAR drivers.
Xfinity Series driver and NASCAR on NBC reporter Parker Kligerman recently revealed during an episode of his The Money Lap podcast that more and more NASCAR drivers are popping a lipper in during the race to try to help increase their focus.
“This is a trend happening…
There are numerous NASCAR drivers that are racing with Zyns in their mouth. There’s thought processes. I do know there is a scientific backing to the fact that nicotine can be a focus helper. It’s sort of a stimulant just like caffeine, it’s no different. And it can help you focus and that sort of thing.
It’s become so prevalent that last year I tried it in the simulator…I didn’t think I felt anything…
It’s something that’s a trend right now that no one’s talking about.”
Of course today’s drivers are hardly the first to use nicotine in the car. Dick Trickle famously used to light up a cigarette inside the car during caution laps, and even had a lighter installed in his car so he could easily spark up a heater when he had the opportunity.
And after his win at Talladega this weekend, winner Tyler Reddick had a humorous moment during his post race press conference when one of his crew members tried to pass him a Zyn to pop in:
I mean, with these Cup Series drivers fighting for every advantage they can get, what’s the harm in throwing in an upper decky and seeing if it works? Seemed to do just fine for Reddick…
